Question about spider mites. (bugs, Hibiscus, insects, leaves)
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I have a plant that was taken over by spider mites. I treated it with a solution of 1:1 rubbing alcohol and water for a few days. That seemed to take care of them. I had to cut back the dead leaves and a few branches. It started coming back beautifully. Then the other day I noticed the leaves were starting to wilt and curl up again. I don't see any webs or mites this time. I treated again, but it doesn't seem to be working this time.
Do the mites live in the dirt? Or could this be something else? Only 1/2 of the plant seems to be affected.
Sorry my camera is broken or I would have posted a picture to help.
Unfortunately I can't put up a picture of it. My camera broke. I cut back all the dead leaves and branches and treated it again. My DH suggeted I move it to a different location (it's a potted plant) and did that too. However, surviving leaves have the small white spots on them.
Jujub,
Go to a dollar store and buy a plastic spray bottle.
Buy some plain dish soap, regular no frills. Any will do.
Put a small amount of dish soap in the plastic spary bottle,
then add water, you want some bubbles.
Then, spray the entire plant, even under the leaves with
the soapy mix.
You should see improvement in about 3-4 days.
You can put the spray bottle fairly close to the plant to remind
yourself to spray it once a week, til the plant really looks good.
At the first sign of bugs again, (sounds like bugs), spray again.
Dish soap in water will kill all soft bodied insects.
I have to do this with my hibiscus, for some reason the bugs
love it! Oh well, it works.
I have a plant that was taken over by spider mites. I treated it with a solution of 1:1 rubbing alcohol and water for a few days. That seemed to take care of them. I had to cut back the dead leaves and a few branches. It started coming back beautifully. Then the other day I noticed the leaves were starting to wilt and curl up again. I don't see any webs or mites this time. I treated again, but it doesn't seem to be working this time.
Do the mites live in the dirt? Or could this be something else? Only 1/2 of the plant seems to be affected.
Sorry my camera is broken or I would have posted a picture to help.
Sorry, some people just can't read well.
Pictures are a help to know what the plant is and what the problem parts look like. To help someone in the forum come up with something helpful you may need to give a little more information. Is this an indoor plant a porch plant of one in your garden? Are you watering it frequently and how wet is the soil? Some plants need a period of drier soil and will have root rot and wilts if watered too frequently or lightly. Rubbing alcohol can be very caustic to some plants and be somewhat safe on others and may have caused the problem. There are a number of diseases that can appear the way you have described your plant.
I got a new camera. Here is a picture of what is left of my plant. There has been new growth since I treated and moved it. Could this be spider ites or something else?
There's not much to go on in the picture but it looks like possibly dahlia leaves and a viral infection. If that is the case it is best to yank the plant an get rid of the soil, or at the very least don't replant any plants susceptible to the same diseases. I can't tell if the alcohol contributed to the damage or is unrelated.
There's not much to go on in the picture but it looks like possibly dahlia leaves and a viral infection. If that is the case it is best to yank the plant an get rid of the soil, or at the very least don't replant any plants susceptible to the same diseases. I can't tell if the alcohol contributed to the damage or is unrelated.
I guess I forgot to mention that it is a Dahlia. I'm pretty much gussing that the plant is a complete goner at this point. Since the last picture was taken, those new leaves have gotten the white/yellow spots and the other ones have dried out, shriveled up and died. Oh well. Looks I have another pot to put something in. Starting with fresh soil.
I'm sorry to have been the bearer of bad news. If it makes you feel any better I lost 3 miniature dahlias last year to a similar and sudden infection and although the other three seemed good early this year they all showed the same signs as soon as we had our first heat wave in late May/early June. I finally yanked the last three in July and don't plan to put in more in that garden. Other larger ones are still blooming in another area an so far disease free.
For future reference, diluted rubbing alcohol when used to wipe down leaves has been a long standing home remedy for indoor plants infested with spider mites. Spraying it on leaves so that they stay wet with it can be very damaging to many leaf surfaces and is not a method I recommend for outdoor plants, especially if in direct sun. If you suspect spider mites or other insects use a spray of water as the least damaging or harmful defense. If that isn't enough an insecticidal soap should be your next "weapon" to combat the bugs. There are "homemade" versions, organic versions and standard versions all of which have good results.
I would use a systemic, like Bayer, which takes care of both disease and pests. It really helps keep my plants healthy.
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